WHO IS SATAN?

Satan is referred to in different ways in the Bible. The name Satan means the accuser, an enemy. Another term used to refer to him is The Devil. This word means one who is a false accuser. He is called Beelzebub in Matthew 12:24-27, which means one who is lord of flies and refuse. He is also called Belial in 2 Corinthians 6:15, which means one who has no good value in him.

Satans descriptions tell us a little bit about his work. Jesus calls him the father of lies, and a murderer (John 8:44). Satan lied to Eve in the garden of Eden and brought death into this world. We die because of Satans murderous and deceptive work.

Among other things Satan is also spoken of as the tempter (Matthew 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 3:5). He tempted the Lord when he thought the Lord might be weak. He will use our own lusts and desires to tempt us (James 1:14, 15).

Satan is a created being. Only deity is self-existent, having no beginning or no end (Exodus 3:14). Satan does not possess the characteristics of deity. He is not all knowing (1 John 4:4), neither is he able to be everywhere (Job 1:7). Because Satan is not deity he must be a created being (Colossians 1:17).

Though Satan is a created being, he was not created evil. The Bible says that all that God created was very good (Genesis 1:31). Satan is a being of free will who deliberately chose at some point to rebel against his Creator. It is possible that Satan may be a fallen angel. If so, then he is an exception to 2 Peter 2:4.

Satan is limited in what he can do. God will not allow him to tempt us above what we can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13). Furthermore, God can give us the spiritual strength to resist the Devil (James 4:7).

Eventually Satan will be punished and his power taken away. His downfall was first predicted in Genesis 3:15. Ultimately his power shall be destroyed and he shall suffer in everlasting fire prepared for himself and his angels (Matthew 25:41).

Are you serving God or Satan? If you are not serving God then you are serving Satan whether or not you have made a conscious decision to be Satans servant. When you choose to sin you choose to serve Satan. Let us help you to serve God, resist Satan, and make heaven your eternal home someday.

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